Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano “Dinky” Soliman and DSWD Region IV-A (CALABARZON) Regional Director Wilma D. Naviamos, visited the province of Quezon during the celebration of the Provincial Day Care Workers Convention, July 26 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

Through Sec. Dinky Soliman, a funding amounting to 50 million pesos was given to the province by DSWD. From January of this year up to June, a total of 89 million pesos has already been collated by Quezon from the department just for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

According to Quezon Governor David “Jayjay” C. Suarez, he is very thankful and honored to have his province receive such support from DSWD. He also added that only Sec. Dinky Soliman cared enough to actually visit Quezon to personally check on the status of the province’s citizenry.

In the message of Sec. Soliman, she explained the reason behind her adamant support to the province – it is because she can clearly observe the dedication of Quezon’s day care workers and Social Workers, and how Gov. Suarez supports them and their field of work accordingly.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Sonia Leyson attested to the unwavering support of Gov. Suarez, even when he still held the position of Vice Governor. She approaching him for assistance in passing a resolution to recognize day care workers, which became successful and was consequently adopted by DSWD. This resolution, which started in Quezon, is the celebration of Day Care Workers’ Week.

The province’s celebration has the theme of “Day Care Service: Epektibong Hakbang Sa Pag-unlad ng Batang Quezonian”. To date, a total of 1,236 volunteer day care workers are in the province of Quezon.

Several Quezonians were also awarded as Outstanding Day Care Workers in the event. Severina B. Bas from Candelaria, Julia M. Manalo – who has already served an impressive 25 years – from Sariaya, and Edelyn M. Jardin from Mauban, were the ones who garnered the honor.

Gov. Suarez added that aside from the day cares, the day care workers themselves are also to receive benefits, such as financial support for them and their family in case they retire or pass away. The money for this will be taken from the newly passed Endowment Fund for those who serve in barangays, such as barangay captains, barangay councilors, barangay tanods, and barangay health workers, of course as well as day care workers. (Quezon PIO)